Warriors Forbidden Kits

Chapter 14

Blueheart stared out of the cave entrance and watched the stars. He had never really cared a whole lot about them. When he was a kit, they terrified him. That was where Pastclan lived. How could any cat sleep with a bunch of dead cats watching them from the sky?

But then his parents had both died. He had taken to staring at the stars every no-moon in honor of their deaths. Every other night he avoided the stars entirely. But today was different. Today, just this morning, he had lost something very dear to him.

Herbfall had managed to heal Smokeflower. She had opened her eyes and even eaten some prey before going back to sleep. But her life had come at a great price. She had given birth to her kits. Two were alive. One was born dead.

Blueheart glanced back at his mate. She was sleeping softly, the three kits lying next to her. Her giving birth to kits hadn't been the most exciting event of the day. Rumors had been going around the clan that something was happening at Waterclan. But nothing had been confirmed.

"What are you thinking about?" Starpelt asked. Blueheart sighed.

"I was so scared I was going to lose her," he admitted.

"We all were," Starpelt said.

"I'm still afraid I'm going to lose her. Snowleap and Shadowstalker will stop at nothing to kill her," Blueheart said.

"We'll stop them, don't you worry," Starpelt promised.

"Are you going to the gathering?"

"Yeah, that's actually what I'm here about."  Starpelt shuffled his paws, tail twitching anxiously.  "Morningstar isn't well enough to go to the gathering, so Stormstone's in charge.  He wants you to come."

"Is he crazy?" Blueheart demanded, lunging to his paws as his fur stood on end.  "If any Waterclan cats see me, they'll skin me alive!"

"I know, I know," Starpelt soothed.  "I told him that.  But he just asked-"

"If you really love Smokeflower," Stormstone finished, padding over to join them.  Blueheart dipped his head respectfully.

"Well?" Stormstone asked.

"I really do," Blueheart replied.  "I would do anything for her."

"Then I've got the power to welcome you into Earthclan," Stormstone explained.  "And I'm going to do it, as long as we know you love Smokeflower.  And now we know, so welcome to Earthclan."

"No Waterclan cat is ever going to forgive me, especially Snowleap and Shadowstalker," Blueheart pointed out.

"You're an Earthclan cat," Starpelt told him.  "They can't touch you.  Besides, what harm can three warriors do?"

---

Stonebite, Starpelt, and Blueheart sat side by side at the gathering.  Blueheart couldn't help but notice countless dark looks thrown his way from Waterclan.

"They're about to start," Starpelt whispered.  "I see Jaggedstar from Waterclan, but where's Fishfoot?"

Blueheart turned his gaze to the clan leaders.  Starpelt was right.  In place of Fishfoot, the Waterclan deputy, Snowleap perched proudly. Her eyes glinted as she met Blueheart's gaze.

"I have sad news to announce," Jaggedstar began. "Fishfoot, our deputy, has died. Snowleap has been appointed the new deputy of Waterclan."

Most cats cheered, but many of Earthclan were not among them. This didn't go unnoticed by Jaggedstar.

"Is something wrong with your clan, Stormstone?" he asked. "They don't seem to be celebrating Snowleap's promotion." His eyes narrowed. "And I noticed you have a Waterclan traitor among you."

"Blueheart has joined us," Stormstone replied. "He's a very loyal cat."

"Another clan traitor for a clan of traitors, is it?"

"Yeah, Waterclan seems to be full of those," Stonebite piped up, glaring at Jaggedstar. Jaggedstar bared his fangs.

"Watch your tongue, kit," he hissed. "I noticed you don't have your precious sister. I'd hate it for something to have happened to her."

"I'm sure you would know perfectly well if it had."

"How far Earthclan has fallen," Jaggedstar hissed. He raised his voice. "It's obvious that the clans have been left in the wrong paws for too long.  From now on there is no Fireclan, Earthclan, Waterclan, or Airclan.  All will be united as Bloodclan, since we are united by blood.  I, of course, will be the new leader."

"You can't do that!" Stormstone yowled as the gathering began to erupt into chaos.

"Who will stop me?" Jaggedstar demanded.  "It's obvious you haven't learned your lesson yet, Stormstone.  Are you willing to risk another Silvermoon?"

Stormstone yowled and launched himself at Jaggedstar.  They both fell to the ground in a heap of fur and claws, hissing and growling as they fought.  The gathered cats fell silent and began backing away from the fight, giving them more room.  Starpelt and Stonebite both rushed forward to protect their father, but Shadowstalker and Snowleap held them at bay.

Abruptly the fight ended.  Jaggedstar stood, sides heaving and blood dripping from his fangs.  Stormstone didn't stir.

"Anyone else want to dispute my leadership?" he demanded, glaring first at the clan leaders, then at Starpelt and Stonebite.  No cats made a sound.

"Then it's settled," Jaggedstar said.  "From now on we are Bloodclan.  There are no more gatherings.  I am the only leader.  I will have three deputies.  Snowleap, Shadowstalker, and Cloudrunner.  Tomorrow I will visit each camp to make the necessary changes.  For now, return to your camps."